8. (S/NF) Mamlouk identified Iraqi border security as an area
where Syria and the U.S. could cooperate. He described Syria
as ready to move forward on tripartite border security talks,
but added “we are at a freezing point until after the Iraqi
elections” scheduled for March. Mamlouk added that
cooperation on Iraqi border security could lead to
cooperation in other areas.
9. (S/NF) Benjamin, noting the importance of achieving a
secure and stable Iraq, stated an important measure of
progress on this subject is further success on reducing the
flow of foreign fighters and cracking down on their
facilitators. Mamlouk said the foreign fighters come from a
large number of Arab and Muslim countries and that the
Syrians detain “large numbers plus their local facilitators.”
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